Lots of cheer to spread around

Cheers to the way the community has rallied around the family of Annie Rooney, a local attorney tragically killed in a July 4 car crash. The show of support - from the legal to the mountain biking communities and beyond - has been quite impressive. The stories told of her boundless enthusiasm and energy are as numerous as the small tributes to her that are starting to coalesce in the area. While her loss is still difficult to take for many, it's good to see the community come together in tribute.

Cheers to former Frontier League player Steve Delabar, who will play in next week's MLB All-Star Game as a relief pitcher. The former member of the Florence Freedom (under former Paints manager Jamie Keefe) becomes the first FL alum to play in the Midsummer Classic after fans voted him in. He also has a great story as just three years ago, he was playing slow-pitch softball and working as a coach and substitute teacher in Kentucky. His story is the type that makes all fans root for him.

Cheersto the arrival of Eric Huffer, the new CHS boys basketball coach. Huffer will take the reins of a varsity program for the first time in his coaching career, but he's had plenty of preparation - coaching at the NAIA university level and playing and coaching under some great names in Ray Slagle and Rick Van Matre. He's a high-motor personality who is going to stress character on and off the court. Sounds like a good match for a Leader In Me program district.

Cheers to the Ohio-born band The Black Keys, whose sponsorship of a youth baseball team in Akron has recently garnered a lot of press. The alternative rockers sponsored the team, when hardly any of the team knew who they were. But the players all know the band now and the league has received a lot of press. The team plans to put the jerseys on sale to help generate money for the league's operation. It's a great gesture by the band and should help raise a lot of cash.

Cheers to the good-natured way the Cleveland Browns handled a final dig from a fan. The Mansfield fan asked that his obituary include the line that asked for six Cleveland Browns to be pallbearers at his funeral "so the Browns can let him down one last time." Rather than be defensive about the situation, the Browns sent a representative to the funeral to present the family with a specially made jersey. The outpouring of support was felt by the family, who received calls and cards from all over the country. Rest in peace, Scott.

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Lots of cheer to spread around

Cheers to the way the community has rallied around the family of Annie Rooney, a local attorney tragically killed in a July 4 car crash. The show of support ? from the legal to the mountain biking